Presents Square-Eye Online Festival | 3-6 December 2020 | Watch on Facebook LIVE & ZOOM
Tolu Sholanke starts his Developing Your Creative Practice, an Arts Council Funded photography project – titled Wa Jeun – Come & Eat. Today he met his mentors Rinkoo Barpaga and Emma Case. Emma is currently doing a photography project at Anfield Football Club called Reds – have a look at twitter @EmmaCase Tolu supports Manchester City.
Catch the Sign Criminal…Billy Read, Chris Fonseca, Ariel Fung. Music Nau Masuda & Chris Bartholomew, R&D Mentoring by Nathan Marsh & Writer Charlie Swinbourne. Funded by Arts Council England
Sign Criminal is a dance show aimed at young people, Billy will be getting feedback about the performance at Braidwood School for the Deaf, Royal School for the Deaf Derby and youth group at Deaf Cultural Centre, Birmingham.
Deaf Explorer are delighted that Maral Mamaghanizadeh has received funding from Arts Council England
“If you want to be alive, read my lips” gives audiences, participants and wearers of unique jewellery to gain an insight into the challenges of communicating in a male-dominated society. Two experiences amplify this challenge. I am Deaf & have successfully sought asylum from a country that identifies my work as political & challenging of a traditional masculinity. To do this I need to R & D making ceramic over-ear pieces; that give a distorted experience of the world. My aim, to make large-scale happenings about wearing the sound altering jewellery & find partners to support production.
Maral will be mentored and supported By Craft space and Ikon Gallery
Maral is enjoying Gallery 37 In Birmingham. Recommend following her Instagram
Rinkoo Barpaga is part of Birmingham REP’s Foundry.
The research has started in Leicester, and there will be a week of R & D during Indian Summer at Attenborough Arts Centre in September with a performance at AAC on 18 November 2018.
Thank you to Deaf Explorer, Thank you to Dr Paddy Ladd for Colonisation sign.
Deaf Explorer announce,
Five awards of funding from Arts Council England for Deaf Artists!
In 2018 Deaf Explorer continue to build their track record of removing barriers and meeting the needs of Deaf artists.
Success in 2018 for Deaf Explorer
January 2018
This grant will support Deaf Explorer to research Non profit Legal Structures and identify and recruit governance:
Our unique skills enable Deaf artists to access the funded arts sector. This organisational development grant will deliver our plan to change the artistic lives of more Deaf artists; disadvantaged because of communication and language barriers. We will do this by transforming our unincorporated group into a legal entity with improved governance and financial expertise so we can be sustainable by supporting social enterprise, receive public funding & charitable/private giving.
February 2018
Rinkoo Barpaga is a talented and innovative artist, who uses British Sign Language; who successfully applied to Foundry at Birmingham REP. He will R & D a monologue about his experience as a Deaf Indian male living in Britain. His passion & creativity is capturing the interest of The Rep Theatre Birmingham, Attenborough Centre Leicester, Punch Records & Unlimited. His work is pioneering and is bringing in a community that has otherwise been marginalised from mainstream theatre and comedy. Rinkoo is ambitious and his work touches a wide audience both in the deaf community and beyond and he is able to bring these two worlds together imaginatively.
April 2018
The R&D by choreographer Mark Smith is inspired by Mathematician Alan Turing. Mark will explore the artistic side of Turing with four different ideas. He will bring together Maths, Movement and Music. By learning about Mathematics he will bring Turing’s scientific language into dance. By collaborating with sign language expert he will learn how to show the emotion of Turing’s poetic writing. By working with leading dancers he will devise choreography that shows the inspiration for Turing’s machine, that of his first love Christopher Marcom & use verbatim theatre style to describe discrimination in the sixties and the impact of Turings law (pardon) on the lives of older gay men. In 2009, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown made an Official public apology on behalf of the British government for “the appalling way he was treated.”
Visual artist John Finn is mentored by DASH in Shropshire. Finn is profoundly Deaf and was recently registered blind. Finn will deliver an artist residency at Sense Touchbase Pears; a new community resource in Birmingham for the deaf-blind community. Finn will devise new work for the context, using Fish as a metaphor. Finn was a computer animator and now wants to make visual art. To make an exhibition he needs to use assistive technology. Large scale touch screen tablets and a mobile computer will also enable Finn to do more artist residencies in Arts and Health settings with guidance from iPad artist Jason Wilshire-Mills.
Billy Read is a Deaf street dancer awarded an Unlimited International Collaboration R&D Commission in 2017. It was a highly ambitious activity delivering a startling performance for Deaf and hearing audiences. This proposal to R&D a new dance will action the findings and recommendations of the evaluation of the Unlimited Commission and enable Billy Read to demonstrate artistic leadership, explore use of drone technology, to take on role of choreographer and writer; to blend dance and sign language together to tell a love story about a dystopian future.
In 2018 Deaf Explorer are supporting an amazing contemporary visual artist and Jeweller Birmingham based MARAL MAMAGHANI, Installation artist Brighton based OMEIMA MUDAWI-ROWLINGS and Manchester based photographer TOLU SHOLANKE.
Deaf explorer aim to support deaf artists to make applications to Unlimited’s competitive round of Production awards in November 2018.
We aim to show case new work at a conference in partnership with Birmingham City University on 16 & 17 November called DIY Diversity, please contact us to sign up to our mailing list.
About Deaf Explorer
Deaf Explorer formed in 2012. Rinkoo Barpaga, Ruth Montgomery Rubbena Aurangzeb-Tariq and Rachael Veazey sat down in a cafe in Birmingham and signed up to Deaf explorer because we wanted to help other Deaf artists to gain better access to the arts. We all agreed that barriers and inequality existed. We also wanted to support Deaf artists from diverse backgrounds, recognising that they area are a significant creative force in the Deaf arts community.
Deaf Explorer are delighted that Mark Smith’s application to Arts Council England to R & D Hut 8 has been successful! Read below to learn more about the project:
My research inspired by code breaker & father of Computer Science Alan Turing. He is focus point & middle for four different ideas. I want to explore the artistic side of Alan Turing. Firstly, I want to build up a three-way relationship between Maths, Movement & Music. The 3 M’s. To incorporate Alan Turing’s language into a technical choreography. I will work with Mathematician Marcus du Sautoy OBE FRSI & composer Michael England. In 1941 Alan Turing played the first ever synthesiser, Michael will sample this recording & reinvent it. Secondly I want to collaborate with Caroline Parker CBE. Caroline signs with emotion & provides the expertise so that my choreography can reveal in sign language the poetic writing of Alan Turing when writing to the love of his life Christopher Marcom, who sadly died of illness. This loss in 1930 motivated Turing, he longed to understand what had become of Christopher, of that essential aspect of him: mind. Turing thought of the mind as an intelligent machine. Thirdly, I will explore Turing’s private relationship with machine & work with William Elliot who will audio describe a silent dance that constructs a large physical human machine. Fourthly, Turing Law. I will merge dance & physical theatre to expose Turing’s discrimination. Turin agreed to be chemically castrated, rather than go to prison for his homosexuality, depression led him to bite a poison apple. I will gather older gay men’s stories & views about pardons & work them into dance.
Deaf Explorer are delighted that Mark Smith’s application to Arts Council England to R & D Hut 8 has been successful !
My research inspired by code breaker & father of Computer Science Alan Turing. He is focus point & middle for four different ideas. I want to explore the artistic side of Alan Turing. Firstly, I want to build up a three-way relationship between Maths, Movement & Music. The 3 M’s. To incorporate Alan Turing’s language into a technical choreography. I will work with Mathematician Marcus du Sautoy OBE FRSI & composer Michael England. In 1941 Alan Turing played the first ever synthesiser, Michael will sample this recording & reinvent it. Secondly I want to collaborate with Caroline Parker CBE. Caroline signs with emotion & provides the expertise so that my choreography can reveal in sign language the poetic writing of Alan Turing when writing to the love of his life Christopher Marcom, who sadly died of illness. This loss in 1930 motivated Turing, he longed to understand what had become of Christopher, of that essential aspect of him: mind. Turing thought of the mind as an intelligent machine. Thirdly, I will explore Turing’s private relationship with machine & work with William Elliot who will audio describe a silent dance that constructs a large physical human machine. Fourthly, Turing Law. I will merge dance & physical theatre to expose Turing’s discrimination. Turin agreed to be chemically castrated, rather than go to prison for his homosexuality, depression led him to bite a poison apple. I will gather older gay men’s stories & views about pardons & work them into dance.
Second phase of R & D in two parts, in January 2018 film shoot in West Bromwich with Film mentor Justin Edgar of 104 Films and ArkMedia based in Birmingham. The films edited by Phil Arkinstall in February.
Film Actors:
In February the sharing event on 23 March was promoted using flyer, social media, and email, including Mailchimp. Tickets available on Eventbrite in February, by mid March only 4 tickets available out of 90 available, Three presentations at 4 pm, 7 pm and 8.30 pm.
Tessa Walker, associate director at Birmingham REP, told Rinkoo Barpaga that show Brilliant, Rinkoo will be meeting with Daniel Bailey and Tessa Walker in coming months to discuss future of Bubble and Butch.
Kate Hall of Jumped Up Theatre, wants to support further development of Bubble and Butch, and bring show to Peterborough, Kate is also part of a Touring network.
Attenborough Arts Centre would like to bring Bubble and Butch to Leicester
Clare Marshall – Arts Council England Relationship Manager for Theatre and Dance (East Midlands, former programmer at mac, wants to see the production of Bubble & Butch
Amy Sutters – Battersea Arts Centre – Producing Assistant (Cook Up & BAC Moving Museum) was unable to attend requested video
Ruby Glaskin Creative Producer Derby Theatre requested video, however she has left company will send to Producer Emily Coleman and Assistant Producer Daniel Nicholas and to Ruby’s email
Creative team:
Rinkoo answers questions that evaluate the aims that were set out in the agreement with Unlimited. The second half of the R & D for Bubble of Butch focused on creating the first few scenes of the play, and the professional development of Rinkoo Barpaga as a new and exciting theatre maker.
Question? Do you think you have developed a unique and personal style:
Question? How did the filmmaking help storytelling ?
Question? What did the audiences think of the filmmaking integrated with theatre?
Question? What did you do with the film script in the studio?
Question? How did the script get used on the shoot in West Bromwich ?
Question? What was useful about the storyboard or not?
Question? Was working with the dog what you expected?
Question? What was it like working with actors who had all the language skills and none of the acting skills?
Question? Did you like the surtitles and translation of urban sign language?
Question? Did you want to explore audio description?
Question? Was there any unexpected outcomes R & D at Birmingham REP?
Question: Did the R & D bring anything unexpected to your creative process?
Rinkoo Barpaga asked audiences to complete evaluations forms, here are quotes. They convey that integrating theatre and film a very positive experience for deaf audiences. Rinkoo proposed that Bubble and Butch used Film as this is very popular with deaf audiences and using deaf actors because they very popular with deaf audiences. The feedback indicates strongly that this was an excellent way to bring deaf audiences to the theatre. Using Urban Sign Language also brought a young deaf diverse (Indian, Black and Pakistani) audience all were new to the theatre.
Feedback mainly by Deaf people who use British Sign language based in Midlands.
Leigh Blake describes use of Urban Sign Language & character Troy
Mike Boland describes learning in the R & D week at Birmingham REP
Photos by Graeme Braidwood * Photo by Alan McLean
Credits Bubble & Butch
Second phase of R & D in two parts, in January 2018 film shoot in West Bromwich with Film mentor Justin Edgar of 104 Films and ArkMedia based in Birmingham. The films edited by Phil Arkinstall in February.
Film Actors:
In February the sharing event on 23 March was promoted using flyer, social media, and email, including Mailchimp. Tickets available on Eventbrite in February, by mid March only 4 tickets available out of 90 available, Three presentations at 4 pm, 7 pm and 8.30 pm.
Tessa Walker, associate director at Birmingham REP, told Rinkoo Barpaga that show Brilliant, Rinkoo will be meeting with Daniel Bailey and Tessa Walker in coming months to discuss future of Bubble and Butch.
Kate Hall of Jumped Up Theatre, wants to support further development of Bubble and Butch, and bring show to Peterborough, Kate is also part of a Touring network.
Attenborough Arts Centre would like to bring Bubble and Butch to Leicester
Clare Marshall – Arts Council England Relationship Manager for Theatre and Dance (East Midlands, former programmer at mac, wants to see the production of Bubble & Butch
Amy Sutters – Battersea Arts Centre – Producing Assistant (Cook Up & BAC Moving Museum) was unable to attend requested video
Ruby Glaskin Creative Producer Derby Theatre requested video, however she has left company will send to Producer Emily Coleman and Assistant Producer Daniel Nicholas and to Ruby’s email
Creative team:
Rinkoo answers questions that evaluate the aims that were set out in the agreement with Unlimited. The second half of the R & D for Bubble of Butch focused on creating the first few scenes of the play, and the professional development of Rinkoo Barpaga as a new and exciting theatre maker.
Question? Do you think you have developed a unique and personal style:
Question? How did the filmmaking help storytelling ?
Question? What did the audiences think of the filmmaking integrated with theatre?
Question? What did you do with the film script in the studio?
Question? How did the script get used on the shoot in West Bromwich ?
Question? What was useful about the storyboard or not?
Question? Was working with the dog what you expected?
Question? What was it like working with actors who had all the language skills and none of the acting skills?
Question? Did you like the surtitles and translation of urban sign language?
Question? Did you want to explore audio description?
Question? Was there any unexpected outcomes R & D at Birmingham REP?
Question: Did the R & D bring anything unexpected to your creative process?
Rinkoo Barpaga asked audiences to complete evaluations forms, here are quotes. They convey that integrating theatre and film a very positive experience for deaf audiences. Rinkoo proposed that Bubble and Butch used Film as this is very popular with deaf audiences and using deaf actors because they very popular with deaf audiences. The feedback indicates strongly that this was an excellent way to bring deaf audiences to the theatre. Using Urban Sign Language also brought a young deaf diverse (Indian, Black and Pakistani) audience all were new to the theatre.
Feedback mainly by Deaf people who use British Sign language based in Midlands.
Leigh Blake describes use of Urban Sign Language & character Troy
Mike Boland describes learning in the R & D week at Birmingham REP
Photos by Graeme Braidwood * Photo by Alan McLean
Credits Bubble & Butch
Rinkoo Barpaga is directing a week of R & D, transforming his film script called Bubble and Butch into cinematic theatre, merging film and drama.
With generous support from Birmingham REP and with his Unlimited R & D Commission, Rinkoo is expanding his creative force into theatre making and really enjoying the opportunity of directing actors and understanding how to make theatre with the input and support of Daniel Bailey from Birmingham REP.
The bullying and discrimination stops when Bubble is asked to look after a mean-looking dog called Butch. Acting like a superhero at every encounter in the hearing world, Butch transforms Bubble’s life for the better. In a highly visual style – a fusion of film and live performance utilising British Urban Sign Language – Rinkoo Barpaga reveals through Bubble and Butch the creativity and vulnerability of young, diverse Deaf people tackling double discrimination and isolation in the hearing & Deaf world.
Deaf Explorer 